ScienceDaily: Top Technology News

Particle-free silver microgrid outperforms other flexible high-performance transparent electrodes

Posted: 02 Jun 2021 12:34 PM PDT

New research investigates the use of microgrids printed with particle-free silver inks, demonstrating its advantages when compared with other particle-based inks.

The powerhouse future is flexoelectric

Posted: 02 Jun 2021 12:33 PM PDT

Researchers have demonstrated 'giant flexoelectricity' in soft elastomers that could improve robot movement range and make self-powered pacemakers a real possibility.

Similarity of legs, wheels, tracks suggests target for energy-efficient robots

Posted: 02 Jun 2021 12:33 PM PDT

A new formula is leading to new insights on how to build an energy-efficient legged teammate for dismounted warfighters.

Major advance in fabrication of low-cost solar cells also locks up greenhouse gases

Posted: 02 Jun 2021 12:33 PM PDT

Engineers have created a means of vastly increasing the speed and efficiency of a key doping process for perovskite solar cells, one that also sequesters CO2.

A new dimension in the quest to understand dark matter

Posted: 02 Jun 2021 12:33 PM PDT

As its name suggests, dark matter -- material which makes up about 85% of the mass in the universe -- emits no light, eluding easy detection. Its properties, too, remain fairly obscure. Now, a theoretical particle physicist have shown how theories positing the existence a new type of force could help explain dark matter's properties.

Shadow figment technology foils cyberattacks

Posted: 02 Jun 2021 12:33 PM PDT

Scientists have created a cybersecurity technology called Shadow Figment that is designed to lure hackers into an artificial world, then stop them from doing damage by feeding them illusory tidbits of success. The aim is to sequester bad actors by captivating them with an attractive -- but imaginary -- world. The technology is aimed at protecting physical targets -- infrastructure such as buildings, the electric grid, water and sewage systems, and pipelines.

Changing the shape of soft matter using logic circuits made from DNA

Posted: 02 Jun 2021 10:04 AM PDT

The myriad processes occurring in biological cells may seem unbelievably complex at first glance. And yet, in principle, they are merely a logical succession of events, and could even be used to form digital circuits. Researchers have now developed a molecular switching circuit made of DNA, which can be used to mechanically alter gels, depending on the pH. DNA-based switching circuits could have applications in soft robotics, say the researchers.

New nanoparticle design paves way for improved detection of tumors

Posted: 02 Jun 2021 10:03 AM PDT

Nano-sized particles have been engineered in a new way to improve detection of tumors within the body and in biopsy tissue, a research team reports. The advance could enable identifying early stage tumors with lower doses of radiation.

Nanomaterials with laser printing

Posted: 02 Jun 2021 10:03 AM PDT

An interdisciplinary team presents a laser-driven technology that enables them to create nanoparticles out of materials such as copper, cobalt and nickel oxides. At the usual printing speed, photoelectrodes are produced in this way, for example, for a wide range of applications such as the generation of green hydrogen.

Laser physics: Two-stage particle-beam booster

Posted: 02 Jun 2021 10:03 AM PDT

Laser physicists have built a novel hybrid plasma accelerator. Particle accelerators have become an indispensable tool for studies of the structure of matter at sub-atomic scales, and have important applications in biology and medicine.

A speedy trial: What it takes to be the fastest land predator

Posted: 02 Jun 2021 07:16 AM PDT

The cheetah is the fastest land animal, but how? Not much is understood about the dynamics underlying its characteristic 'flight' and spine movement. Now, in a new study, a team of researchers propose and validate an analytical model for studying cheetah galloping by comparing its predictions with cheetah data. While improving upon the current understanding of cheetah's locomotion, their findings pave the way for designing legged robots!

Researchers explore ways to detect 'deep fakes' in geography

Posted: 02 Jun 2021 06:14 AM PDT

It may only be a matter of time until the growing problem of 'deep fakes' converges with geographical information science (GIS). A research team are doing what they can to get ahead of the problem.

Mapping intermittent methane emissions across the Permian Basin

Posted: 02 Jun 2021 06:14 AM PDT

The Permian Basin, located in western Texas and southeastern New Mexico, is the largest oil- and gas-producing region in the U.S. The oilfield operations emit methane, but quantifying the greenhouse gas is difficult because of the large area and the fact that many sources are intermittent emitters. Now, researchers have conducted an extensive airborne campaign with imaging spectrometers and identified large methane sources across this area.

Researchers learn how swimming ducks balance water pressure in their feathers while diving

Posted: 02 Jun 2021 06:13 AM PDT

A team has discovered the method ducks use to suspend water in their feathers while diving, allowing them to shake it out when surfacing. The discovery opens the door for applications in marine technology.